In this MLB News and Notes segment, I will be giving occasional reports on the latest news and rumors throughout the MLB. I also will try to tweet news and rumors as I see them, so feel free to follow me on Twitter: @AndrewIBI.

Here are the stories from Thursday, June 19.

Top Stories:

Braves right-hander Gavin Floyd has suffered a broken olecranon bone in his right elbow and will be placed on the disabled list, the team announced. While the recovery time has yet to be announced, Yahoo's Jeff Passan noted that Joel Zumaya suffered the same injury on June 28, 2010 and missed the remainder of the season. Floyd's case, of course, is its own and doesn't necessarily have to follow the same timeline.

Tribe News:

Outfielder Michael Brantley (mild concussion) continues to aim for a Saturday return to Cleveland's lineup. He took part in limited pregame activities on Thursday, including running, throwing and some work in the batting cages.

Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports wrote that the Indians are in difficult spots with potential free agents shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera and right-hander Justin Masterson. Cabrera isn't a strong QO candidate thanks to his so-so defense, so one option would be to trade him for another infielder to alternate with Mike Aviles. The same goes for Masterson, though he probably doesn't have much trade value with an ERA of 5.05 with 8.1 K/9 and 4.7 BB/9.

The Indians announced that Double-A southpaw Matt Packer was released.

News and Notes:

The trade deadline is rapidly approaching and while things figure to get exciting over the next month and change, not everyone is drooling over what might be available. "To be honest, I don't see much out there," an official of one contender told Jayson Stark of ESPN.com. "Who's even selling? And what are they selling? I know there will be guys to trade for. But where's the quality?"

The Rays front office believed that they had the talent to win it all this year and that optimism could play into how they approach the deadline. The Rays aren't selling and Jayson Stark of ESPN.com wrote that if they believe what they have can power them to a championship next season, they might stand pat and keep the band together. Teams that have spoken with Tampa Bay see a fire sale as unlikely. The Rays might listen on Ben Zobrist, but one exec who has spoken with the club gets the sense that it would be "really, really difficult" for them to part with him. The exception to all of this, of course, is David Price.

One executive flatly told Stark that a Chase Utley trade is "not happening." The sticker price might not be met on Phillies like Cliff Lee, Jonathan Papelbon and Jimmy Rollins, but teams see Domonic Brown as someone whom the Phillies would like to swap for a different young change-of-scenery candidate.

While the Rangers find themselves at least facing the unexpected possibility that they will be sellers in July, GM Jon Daniels told Jon Heyman of CBS Sports that the team isn't thinking of trading Adrian Beltre. Beltre's future aside, Heyman wrote that the Rangers will have to look hard at dealing veteran pieces such as Joakim Soria, Alex Rios and even Elvis Andrus as they look to retool for the future in what has become a lost year due to injuries. However, Daniels said that his team isn't giving up on 2014 yet, and it would take a "compelling baseball deal" to move one of the Rangers' core players.

If teams come calling on Padres outfielder Carlos Quentin, the veteran is willing to think about waiving his no-trade clause to help facilitate a deal, Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com wrote. Quentin's complete no-trade clause was a big part of why he agreed to sign a team-friendly three-year, $27 million extension with San Diego a couple of years ago, but he would entertain the idea of going elsewhere this summer.

The Rangers released Daniel Bard, according to Gerry Fraley of the Dallas Morning News. Texas signed the 28-year-old to a minor league deal in late January.

Draft Signing Updates:

The Mets agreed to sign first-round pick Michael Conforto to a $2.97 million deal, according to Jim Callis of MLB.com. The Oregon State outfielder was rated as one of the best college bats in the draft by Callis. Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com reported earlier this week that a deal was on the verge of being completed.

The Reds agreed to terms with first-round selection Alex Blandino, Jonathan Mayo of MLB.com reported. Blandino, the 29th overall selection, will receive the full slot value of $1.788 million, according to Mayo.

The Cubs announced via press release that they signed second-round right-hander Jake Stinnett. Stinnett was selected with the No. 45 overall pick. The Cubs inked Stinnett to a $1 million deal, $250,000 less than the suggested slot for the No. 45 pick, Jim Callis of MLB.com reported.

The Rays and third-round selection Brock Burke agreed to terms on a $900,000 signing bonus, according to MLB.com's Jim Callis. That's more than $355,000 north of the No. 96 overall selection's slot value.

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